Contents

Biology

Appearance

Dream World Scyther

Scyther is a Mantis Pokémon. It is green with two wings that enable flight. It has two razor-sharp scythes for arms.

Special abilities

Scyther can have the ability Swarm or the ability Technician. Swarm increases Scyther's Bug-type moves by 1.5x when its HP is lower than 1/3. Technician increases the power of moves under 60 attack power. Scyther's most impressive feature is its scythe-like arms that can easily cut through metal. Scyther is also known for its agility. While hunting in the wild or in a battle between trainers, it relies on its speed to strike quickly and to avoid being struck in return by its foe. Its high-supernatural speed can make it seem to be in more than one place at once, or to seem invisible as it moves in, strikes, and leaves the opponent before he can feel the blow. Scyther's wings are capable of flight, but this is rare; it is not a fast or an agile flier, and it is a better hunter on its own feet.

In the anime

In the anime, Tracy catches a Scyther in the Orange Islands. It is aged and was recently removed from its clan by a younger, stronger Scyther. The bug Pokémon reconcile their differences through the interference of Team Rocket, and Tracey's Scyther is allowed to leave with him with its conflicts fully resolved. Tracey's elderly Scyther (similar to Master Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) is incredibly strong-willed, preferring to keep watch over the travellers while they sleep, as opposed to staying in its Poké Ball.

In the episode "Showdown at Dark City", two gangs were fighting in a dusty town. The leader of one team had an Electabuzz while the other had a Scyther. When Ash poured ketchup barrels on both Pokémon, they locked into each other in a death grip, meaning that Scyther and Electabuzz are possibly provoked by the color red.

Pokédex entries

With ninja-like agility and speed, it can create the illusion that there is more than one.

Yellow

Leaps out of tall grass and slices prey with its scythes. The movement looks like that of a ninja.

Gold

It slashes through grass with its sharp scythes, moving too fast for the human eye to track.

Silver

When it moves, it leaves only a blur. If it hides in grass, its protective colors make it invisible.

Crystal

It's very proud of its speed. It moves so fast that its opponent does not even know what knocked it down.

Ruby

Scyther is blindingly fast. Its blazing speed enhances the effectiveness of the twin scythes on its forearms. This Pokémon's scythes are so effective, they can slice through thick logs in one wicked stroke.

Sapphire

Scyther is blindingly fast. Its blazing speed enhances the effectiveness of the twin scythes on its forearms. This Pokémon's scythes are so effective, they can slice through thick logs in one wicked stroke.

Emerald

Its blindingly fast speed adds to the sharpness of its twin forearm scythes. The scythes can slice through thick logs in one wicked stroke.

FireRed

It tears and shreds prey with its wickedly sharp scythes. It very rarely spreads its wings to fly.

LeafGreen

With ninja-like agility and speed, it can create the illusion that there is more than one.

Diamond

It is nearly impossible to parry its attacking scythes. Its movements are like a ninja's.

Pearl

It is nearly impossible to parry its attacking scythes. Its movements are like a ninja's.

Platinum

The sharp scythes on its forearms become increasingly sharp by cutting through hard objects.

HeartGold

It slashes through grass with its sharp scythes, moving too fast for the human eye to track.

SoulSilver

When it moves, it leaves only a blur. If it hides in grass, its protective colors make it invisible.

Black

The sharp scythes on its forearms become increasingly sharp by cutting through hard objects.

White

The sharp scythes on its forearms become increasingly sharp by cutting through hard objects.

Black 2

The sharp scythes on its forearms become increasingly sharp by cutting through hard objects.

White 2

The sharp scythes on its forearms become increasingly sharp by cutting through hard objects.

X

Y

Omega Ruby

Alpha Sapphire

Useful battle info

Scyther's attacking power is excellent, and it also has a very good speed stat, making it an ideal physical sweeper. Unfortunately, its special attack is very poor and its Defense and Special Defense are average. However, in Pearl/Diamond/Platinum, Scyther can use Shadow Claw (ghost) Slash (Normal) X-Scissor (bug) and Wing Attack (flying) which means it is effective against most other Pokémon (although is recommended that you also teach it Sword's Dance). However, note that evolving it into a Scizor will prevent it learning Wing Attack yet allow it to learn some different moves but as a Scyther it is immune to Ground type attacks but as a Scizor, it takes normal damage from them. Scizor is, however, immune to Poison attacks.

It is questionable whether evolving Scyther is a good idea. Scizor has even higher attack and stronger defence, but Scyther has much better speed. Overall, Scyther tends to work better as a sweeper. However, Scizor's higher defence makes it more durable and more reliable. Despite this, I would recommend Scyther over Scizor.

Trivia

Its English name was originally going to be Stryke, as revealed in the 1999 Nintendo Official Magazine Pokémon Special #2.

Although Scyther is provoked by the color red, it obviously loses this trait when it evolves, because its evolutionary form, Scizor, is red.